Literally about to give up vaping

[kiwivap]

Since I'm a noob too, I can't offer EXPERT advice. I do feel I'm a fairly intelligent person. I smoked over a PAD for 40+ years. When I was in the Navy, I was smoking 3 packs a day. I tried every conceivable way to quit, but nothing worked until I tried vaping. Yes, I've spent a little in my learning curve, but I've also learned a lot from this forum. What I found is no one device will satisfy everyone.

I started using a Joye eGo Twist and a Mini Vivi Nova tank. No problems with the Twist at all, but I had small problems with the Vivi. Note, I stated SMALL problems. I then purchased a Splitfire and liked it better, but head replacement is more difficult. I still really like that tank. I just purchased a cartomizer tank with 2.0 OHM heads, and so far, I like it better than either the Vivi or the Splitfire. Am I going to toss those tanks? Heck no. I'll use them for when I want to change a flavor, then screw my carto tank back in and vape on it for a while.

I've spent roughly $250 so far in the month and a half I've been vaping, but I was spending about $210 a month on cigarettes. Since I've found what I like in equipment and juice, and what works best for me, I won't have the need to spend nearly as much per month as when I first started. I'm even going to learn DIY juices and rebuilding heads. Then I can really start saving on costs.

I will be purchasing a Spinner from Got Vapes in the future, but that's at least 2 months away. They're not that expensive, and now that I've found the tanks I like, so I just need to purchase heads for the Vivi and splitfire, and carto's for my newest tank occasionally. That all sounds expensive, but it's still less than I've spent on cigarettes.

Even if I am spending more on vaping equipment, which 'm not, I'm saving my life because I was on the edge of COPD, I'm sure. If I didn't give up cigarette, I probably was going to be spending a ton for doctor visits.

I breathe better now, I don't stink from smoke, and I'm not burning holes in my clothes. I wish I'd quit smoking before I burned a hole in my car seat.

Excellent post!

 

[DuaneNeveu]

So I need one answer which is what to get that's under fifty that will last me until graduate.

Probably exactly the PV you already have, then invest that $50 in a few decent atomizers/cartomizers/tanks and some more (of the right) style of juice.

 

[Dauyd]

I suppose so. That's still weird to me, though. I want to look up the science behind one flavor just not being a flavor on your tongue. Not just logical ways of looking at it. But actual science on why this happens. The sooner we figure that out, the sooner we come up with a chemical that counteracts that phenomenon of losing flavor on the tongue and adding it to juice, thus eliminating any need for this post!

Edit: "I want to look up the science behind one flavor just not being a flavor on your tongue" what I really meant was "how a flavor goes from being strong on your tongue and olfactory senses to dissipating and ultimately becoming tasteless."

http://www.stanford.edu/group/scienceinservice/Smell.pdf

 

[Iusedtoanalog]

Well said. I often feel like when those guys (busardo, grimm) talk about that stuff I feel like they have access to a secret well of golden e cig knowledge on how to fill and maintain X piece of equipment. And it's frustrating.

We all Once sat in the same seat you are in . The only thing they have that you don't is experience. Time finding what they do or don't like. When I began vaping There where less options than there are now. You had three piece units, that was it, and you had about five different thread types. I vaped for almost six months on a 150mAh automatic, single battery kit that I payed $80 for... prefilled carts that where $20 for a box of five....... Then In desperation(much like you) I began doing research, eventually I ended up here.... I sat and read and read and read..... I made an order from one of the recommended suppliers for what I thought I needed (even ordered the wrong atomizer) read more, Joined the forum started asking questions.... Roll the clock forward now almost two years and I am still here. Still trying new things but I am comfortable enough now to be able to fall back on what I know I like if something doesn't work well for me.... Everyone has their own "sweet spot" you just have to be willing to put in the work and time to know what that actually is for you.

 

[Apathetic Cardigan]

http://www.stanford.edu/group/scienceinservice/smell.pdf

yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[glassmanoak]

stick a fork in me, I'm done!! Stop being lazy and accept the help offered to you and bless your lucky stars for that help. There is no magic bullet. Do the work stop feeling entitled to an easy solution to a difficult addiction!

 

[Apathetic Cardigan]

stick a fork in me, I'm done!! Stop being lazy and accept the help offered to you and bless your lucky stars for that help. There is no magic bullet. Do the work stop feeling entitled to an easy solution to a difficult addiction!

Haha that was a highly accusational post. I'm not denying help, I'm demanding it from as many sources as possible because I feel like this unsung portion of vapers is going without answers. This thread is getting traffic because people want to prove that the vaping community is one that is warm and welcoming. At 11 oclock mountain time today I was literally going to sell my stuff and buy cigs again and be done with all this frustration. Now I have 20 something different avenues to look into and provided even more info that is down to earth and not all electrical engineer jargon for newbies to digest and actually start making some informed decisions. I love that. I want the Big tobacco to go down in plumes of vapor.

 

[Apathetic Cardigan]

The beauty of the nicotine vaporizer is that it gives the willing addict a way out. This mixture of chemicals is somehow providing all the happiness that comes from smoking without the shame. Like I said before vaping is on the cusp to become a billion dollar industry but the more we teach the regular smokers that there is a way out the more likelihood of this dream becoming a reality in 5 years. That is what I want and that is what the vaping community wants. No more COPD and Emphysema and lung cancer. No more awful ads about people who had to have holes drilled into their throat cavity. Information is power and the easier the info is to digest the better for the masses.

 

[DMAudio]

I haven't taken the time to read through so many replies as I just wanted to throw my 2c into the ring, so I apologise if you've already heard what I say. First off, sorry to hear you've had negative experiences, and hope that the people here can help in some way. I'll try my best to give some answers to your post;

Alright Vapers abroad and Vapers nearby, new vapers, experienced vapers, rage vapers and calm vapers. I'm going to be honest with you. Starting August of this year I've made the switch to vaping. At first I was happy by the simple fact that it wasn't an analog. But there's a serious problem, i'm starting to give up. My reasons for giving up are as follows:

1. Contrary to popular belief, this is not cheaper than analogs, in fact, it's quite a bit more expensive (unless you're over a pack a day smoker, which I wasn't, I just really liked nicotine and really hated how I smelled.)
Actually it is....much cheaper. Not sure where you got this statement from, because many others for years have proved it's significantly cheaper. eg: where I am, 1 pack a day at £7 = £210 per month. Starter kit, lots of samples, couple bottles of 30ml juice to last the same month comes in at around £100 for my first month of vaping. Unless you willfully spend more on trying every flavour, and buying lots of gizmos and gadgets, there is no way it can be more.
2. The learning curve I've since gotten over, from this forum I've figured out alot of things on how they work. But I still don't know the fundamentals on how to make a choice when I go to a local e cigarette shop. It's like Vaping is a subculture of people who don't want you in it. So they offer the ....tiest tech and don't explain why upgrading is better.
Sounds like you need to change shops. This place is a HUGE repository of information and reviews...educate yourself, because a person in a shop is paid to make sales, not necessarily provide the best advice. Arm yourself with knowledge. Also, I've never seen any display of anyone looking to exclude others....quite the opposite, so your assessment is quite bizarre.
3. There is no middle ground. Meaning that you either buy crap ego-t's and c's or the insanely fragile v's or some other ridiculous "cig" like itastes. Nowhere from shops and other vapers do I receive any sort of comparison. All of the real comparisons are on the APV's that are so crazily out of many peoples price range that were stuck in a vortex of wondering why all our .... sucks. If there was a middle of the road that wasn't a C but wasn't a Provari (I know zmax's, LT's, etc exist, but there's no justification for getting them because everyone says they are terrible.)
Again, arm yourself with knowledge...in all likelihood the dominant percentage of products available will occupy the 'middle ground', but buying brand names and not knock-offs (like everything else) will see you right. Once more, use the forums and read reviews....there's a myriad of options out there, and it's somewhat dismissive to imply they're all crap.
4. Juice, what the hell? No matter who I buy from, what flavor, how expensive, they all suck. I'm not sure if it's the set up I'm using (I'm poor: ego-c upgrade with a j-tank and laser drilled LR cartomizers) but I don't get anything. Either the carto doesn't fire very well or the juice doesn't hit, or the flavor gets lost in the polyfill so i'm tasting a mixture of propylene glycol and moisture. (And yes, I've watched every video on how to fill cartos, i've had several employees of local shops explain to me how to fill cartos, it never works, ever). And if I do get some flavor it's for 3 pulls maximum and usually doesn't provide any satisfying clouds (I really think this is because of my setup which leads me to my next point.)
You're definitely doing something wrong here. 'They all suck' and 'it never works' ....come on! Taste is a very subjective beast and for years your taste buds have been getting hammered by smoking, and at the beginning if it's not a cigarette, it probably wont be that good. But to say nothing works....it can only be you or the equipment, and from what you've listed....your equipment is more than capable.
5. Setups, I don't think many people are being truthful with customers about these products. I find it strange that when I try a friends ego-t with some tank that i've never seen before and I actually taste something. My mind is blown by that and then I take another drag off of mine and i'm like "... where did it go?" So, in my research, I've never found "this is good to use on ego's" rather I get "this will fit ego's." But "fit" is far different than "works well"
You didn't think to ask this friend what tank it was? Having a vaping friend, you'd think you may have actually expressed some of your concerns to him/her. Did this person also try yours and come to the same conclusions you did?
6. Breakability. Within a month of my vaping I'd gone through 3 batteries, mind you this is not because I dropped them, they simply decided to not work anymore. I've seen similar stories of someone getting out of their car with their near 200 dollar mod and boom, no more mod. What is the value in that? With my c i'm so scared of breaking off anything or even the ....ing battery in half that I simply hold it, in my hand, all day long.
3 batteries in a month? OK, either you're very very bad with battery care, or they were just cheap knock-off batteries. As for stuff breaking getting out of cars....jeez....I'm almost at a loss for that argument. Seriously...if thats your reasoning, I dont think anything will help you quit. You could break an £800 phone getting out of your car....is that the phones fault, or you being careless?

So! What the hell do I do? Can someone offer me any reason to keep going with this? Because I am six flavorless puffs away from throwing this whole stupid concept up on craigslist and using the money for cigarettes. Ecigs are not providing what most people promised they would. Flavor, satisfaction of nicotine intake, interesting subculture of people who cared and who are happy for people they get off cigarettes, and real communication that wasn't ultimately to make as much money as possible.

Thank you and any advice or responses would be greatly appreciated.

I'd like to point out, whilst answering some of these queries, I may sound a little petulent, but I felt the original post was the product of some frustration, and I'm sure if you read it back with a cooler head, you'll probably be quite critical of what you wrote.

I'll put it to you like this...the month you've been vaping has probably cut numerous cigarettes out for you, and thats a great start. You may be getting to the break point in the craving, and just pushing through will pay huge dividends for you. Sounds to me you just need to find the right equipment, and juice, and get some help using it properly...possibly from your friend, and you'll be fine.

Seriously, stick in there, and you can always come here for more advice.

 

[MalibuSunset]

Please dont give up................as a "smoker" for 34 years i hated the smell, cough (couldnt lay flat cause of cough) etc..........i have been analog free since 9/8/12....i am now cough & foul smelling free.............it really IS worth "experimenting" until you find the right one i smoked basic menthol & kools,
i started with a "cheapie" green smart living e cig.............stayed there until the people on here helped me understand how to refill the cartos i already had.........(no new expense except juice) and now i cant stop trying other flavors from diff sites.......they have inexpensive sample sizes that may help......and theres always help here on this board, its like a family feeling..........Best of luck to you

 

[Flexxx]

eGo Twist is going strong for me and my wife, I got a J-tank and boge LR cartomizer and it literally kicks ....

I also have the plain eGo c upgrade and its okay but nothing compared to the twist, set the twist to 4.2 with some "GOOD E-JUICE" and be done with it, keep you eGo c just for a back-up.

As for juice I use high caliper and go with strawberry cheesecake since it taste awesome, cinnabun is one you also should try.

I have 3 eGo's now 2 twists & 1 c-upgrade and they all been working good.

Hope you get it figured out.

 

[DMAudio]

Yeah, but dude, living in Utah, contrary to popular belief, is not cheap, especially because I'm a student here and barely paying rent and utilities, i'm not .....ing, i'm saying there is an overall lack of info that anyone can come to an agreement with that's good for newbies. This is frustrating, because I watch videos, see other vapers, go into local e-cig shops and get literally jealous of vapers around me because I don't have the cash to drop on something that I want to be my new hobby, I know it's safe, I know it's better than any candy ever, and it replaces one of the most dangerous substances in the world, but this addiction cannot be fulfilled because of the sheer numbers that go into experimentation. I keep reading on this thread "read" "buy" "try" etc. But I don't think anyone *italics* really gets what it's like to not have a couple hundred to just try some out and see what they like. I already know what my dream vape is. It's easy, provari with 18650 batts and this thing Super T Manufacturing, Innovative manufacturer of electronic cigarette products.
But that's pushing me into the 300 dollar range. I don't have that kind of dough for random bull I have dog seizure medicine to buy and food and college payments and books and rent and other bull So I need one answer which is what to get that's under fifty that will last me until i graduate.

Had to chip in on this one too;


Please take that with the humour it was intended with

 

[-Mimi-]

I can TOTALLY understand where you are coming from!! I have been vaping for 2 weeks. I love the concept, love that I don't even want a cigarette BUT I don't get "IT". I am using the ego twist with a mini nova tank. I HATE carts. I like the tanks with wicks. I feel they are easy to use, easy to clean, the wicks are very inexpensive to replace. I see different types of atomizers but don't grasp how they work (yet) For "me", it seems that the juice pulls up through the wicks easier. I think of candles, the fragrance pulls up through the wick, the heat of the wick helps release the fragrance. If its too hot, it burns off quicker, if flame is too small, you get nothing. So because of that my mind, I like the fact that the battery is adjustable to get more flavor. Too high, it tastes burnt, too low, I get nothing. I keep adjusting. My problem isn't vapor. I get PLENTY of that. My problem is I get no flavor. I do know that a 70/30 or 80/20 blend will give more flavor and less vapor because the vg is lower which results in a thinner juice to pull up through the wicks. I am still getting plenty of vapor at those levels but not getting the flavor. It makes me want to SCREAM. I have tried several different places for ejuice and it is getting expensive.

The first step I am taking is learning to DIY. I bought supplies to make my own ejuice. This looks like it is going to be a lot cheaper on me as well. I fell like I can control the levels of flavor and see if I can mix up what works for me. The set ups are more than confusing no matter how much we read. I feel like there is a better set up than what I am using to give me that flavor I am missing. It is just too hard to spend $200 for a set up that I have no clue if it will work or not.

I don't know if there is an answer out there for us or not. I have come to the conclusion it is going to be through trial and error. Yes, I am going to spend some money up front BUT long term, its going to save me money. I am going to be following this thread. Hopefully, we both will find what works for us!!!

 

[Drako60]

Reading over the posts since mine, there are some good points here.

If you have dual coil cartomizer's they would be very lacking in performance on an Ego, make sure you get single coil LR cartomizers unless you are using a 5+ volt device, and even then the older lavatubes and provari's won't work with dual coil, dual coil requires high amps to run properly, which the Ego does not have.

you keep complaining about juice taste, get an atomizer, doesn't matter what it is, a 510 or 306 or io6, get an atomizer and don't order big bottles of juice order the 3 and 5ml sample bottles, and use the atomizer to sample the samples before you put it into a cartomizer and waste the cartomizer because you can't stand the flavor.

atomizer's are simple devices, you buy one, you open it, blow it out into a paper towel, put it on your device and put 5-7 drops in it (more for a new atomizer say 10), when you want to try a new flavor you blow it out again, if you can't stand the flavor you blow it out and try the next one. better to have a couple atomizers in case you run into a flavor that won't come out like cinnamon, you can get them cheap in packs of 5 so having extra isn't really a problem.

 

[Doogmar]

I think what you want is something that works, and is relatively inexpensive. Buy a Spinner or a Twist, the bigger the better. They are $25 or under for the battery and you can use your ego charger. Compare it to what you have. If it works you can buy another for a backup and rotate while the other charges. With this use your carto tank.

Btw I have a Spinner as a backup to my Provari, and its a nice little unit. I'm actually using it right now because I was too lazy too change the tank off the provari

Oh and Madvapes is a place a lot of people here use, I think they sell Spinners. They had a sale going, don't know if it still is.

For carto tanks you might want to check out https://www.ikenvape.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1631 for cartos. Another poster here turned me onto them, and they are the best cartos I've used. I even might buy another carto tank , but I really like my Vivi Novas.

 

[blondeambition3]

I can TOTALLY understand where you are coming from!! I have been vaping for 2 weeks. I love the concept, love that I don't even want a cigarette BUT I don't get "IT". I am using the ego twist with a mini nova tank. I HATE carts. I like the tanks with wicks. I feel they are easy to use, easy to clean, the wicks are very inexpensive to replace. I see different types of atomizers but don't grasp how they work (yet) For "me", it seems that the juice pulls up through the wicks easier. I think of candles, the fragrance pulls up through the wick, the heat of the wick helps release the fragrance. If its too hot, it burns off quicker, if flame is too small, you get nothing. So because of that my mind, I like the fact that the battery is adjustable to get more flavor. Too high, it tastes burnt, too low, I get nothing. I keep adjusting. My problem isn't vapor. I get PLENTY of that. My problem is I get no flavor. I do know that a 70/30 or 80/20 blend will give more flavor and less vapor because the vg is lower which results in a thinner juice to pull up through the wicks. I am still getting plenty of vapor at those levels but not getting the flavor. It makes me want to SCREAM. I have tried several different places for ejuice and it is getting expensive.

The first step I am taking is learning to DIY. I bought supplies to make my own ejuice. This looks like it is going to be a lot cheaper on me as well. I fell like I can control the levels of flavor and see if I can mix up what works for me. The set ups are more than confusing no matter how much we read. I feel like there is a better set up than what I am using to give me that flavor I am missing. It is just too hard to spend $200 for a set up that I have no clue if it will work or not.

I don't know if there is an answer out there for us or not. I have come to the conclusion it is going to be through trial and error. Yes, I am going to spend some money up front BUT long term, its going to save me money. I am going to be following this thread. Hopefully, we both will find what works for us!!!

I used to hate carts also... you just have to find the 'right' carts.

..... actually, that should have read 'cart systems'..... I've found 2

 

[-Mimi-]

I forgot to make one suggestion that is going to sound totally weird. If you aren't getting flavor (like me), work on your vape issue first. Buy a bag of jolly rancher hard candy, cinnamon, whatever flavor it is you want. Suck on a piece of candy while you vape. It is a temporary fix BUT at least you will feel like you are getting flavor with your vape. I am doing this waiting on my taste buds to "wake up". It appeases me some during the day.

 

[blondeambition3]

I forgot to make one suggestion that is going to sound totally weird. If you aren't getting flavor (like me), work on your vape issue first. Buy a bag of jolly rancher hard candy, cinnamon, whatever flavor it is you want. Suck on a piece of candy while you vape. It is a temporary fix BUT at least you will feel like you are getting flavor with your vape. I am doing this waiting on my taste buds to "wake up". It appeases me some during the day.

That is really good advice! I've done this from time to time and it works! Good lookin' out!

 

[Keith Roger Fairman]

I have found help on this forum for any question that I may have, just dont give up on it. See what works for you, I have tried many juices and found that one vendor is spot on with whatever they say the juice is suppose to taste like. It is through trial and error, but most of all, even if it was more expensive (it is not) it is saving my life. Good Luck

 

[Marvin & Sennie]

that is EXACTLY what we've done, as a matter of fact...ironically I am alternating between vaping and a watermelon jolly rancher... I can't stand candy in my mouth long enough to eat the whole thing so I keep the wrapper near....lol Gross I know but it works for me

I forgot to make one suggestion that is going to sound totally weird. If you aren't getting flavor (like me), work on your vape issue first. Buy a bag of jolly rancher hard candy, cinnamon, whatever flavor it is you want. Suck on a piece of candy while you vape. It is a temporary fix BUT at least you will feel like you are getting flavor with your vape. I am doing this waiting on my taste buds to "wake up". It appeases me some during the day.